“Thirty-two thousand men…following me. There’s no way the Midianites can stand against us. We’re invincible.”
“You’ve got too many men, Gideon.”
“What, Lord? Too many men?”
“Yes. Say to the people, “Whoever is afraid can go home.”
As Gideon watched twenty-two thousand of his troops tramp back home what was he thinking? This is Gideon, the weakest-clan warrior, the hide-in-a-hole hero. Was he shaking in his sandals?
I don’t think so. God had called him to lead, had promised him victory. I think he probably got a little nervous as the fearful fled, but then he looked at the fearless – ten thousand battle-ready warriors.
If God said there were too many before, then these guys must be the leanest, meanest fighting force ever assembled. “There’s no way the Midianites can stand against us. We’re invincible.”
“You’ve got too many men, Gideon.”
“What, Lord? Too many men?”
“Yes. I’ll separate them for you. Take them down to the water.”
God had Gideon set aside those that brought the water to their mouths from those who put their mouths to the water. Three hundred in one group, nine thousand seven hundred in the other.
As Gideon looked out over the two groups, he probably nodded with satisfaction. “Three hundred, that’s doable. We should have no problem defeating Midian without those three hundred guys.”
“No, Gideon, the three hundred is your army. Send the nine thousand seven hundred home.”
“What! Three hundred men?”
God went out of his way to make sure Gideon knew God was with him. He called him, burned up a meal on a rock, kept the fleece wet and kept the fleece dry. “Gideon, I’ve chosen you!” It’s almost as if God was shouting it. “You are the one.”
And then…when Gideon’s finally convinced – and thirty-two thousand others are too – it seems as if God’s saying, “Just kidding.” Of course, that’s not what was going on.
God chose Gideon, chose Gideon to lead Israel, chose Gideon to defeat Midian. But God also chose Gideon to follow Him, do depend on Him, to bring glory to Him. Gideon couldn’t let the sight of thirty-two thousand men take his eyes off the King of Glory.
When we are afraid, hiding in a hole, it is easy to place our trust in the power of the almighty, world-creating, death-defeating God. But for many of us, all we need is a little confidence, a little prosperity, a little victory and then we act like four year-olds. “I can do it myself.”
When it seems as if your resources are receding or your followers flagging, perhaps that’s not a sign of discouragement. Instead, it’s a sign that the God of the universe is preparing you for an amazing battle. He’s going to strike down the Midianites in your life. He just wants you to know He is the power in powerful, the might in almighty and the victor in victory.
Showing posts with label Gideon and You. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gideon and You. Show all posts
Friday, May 6, 2011
Fleece
Angel: “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”
Gideon: “But…”
Angel: “I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man.”
Gideon: “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have said, behold I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”
God: Did it.
Gideon: “Please let me test one more time with the fleece…”
God: Did it again. “Now – Go down against the [Midian] camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”
Then Gideon went with Purah…
And they call Thomas “Doubting.”
But how many of us are just like Gideon? And usually (okay for me – always), God isn’t asking us to go into battle against a superior fighting force using REAL swords… that cause REAL wounds…and possibly REAL death. For us, it’s more like God saying, “Obey my commands… even when you don’t want to.”
And our response:
“Oh, I don’t know if I can do it. God probably doesn’t want me to really obey. I mean, not all the time. People might think I’m weird… How could I be an effective witness if they think I’m weird?
“Okay, I feel better about that now. I think. God, do you really want me to obey? I mean… I… I’ll tell you what, God. If you want me to do this, then make it crystal clear to me – somehow.”
I’ve done that…more than once. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m alone in this. Neither do I think this is what the story is trying to show us. God is not about miracles or magic just to help us see what he wants us to do.
However, if confirmation helps you do what he’s already asked you to do, He might. God asked, quite possibly, the biggest chicken in the world to become an army commander. Confidence boosters were exactly what Gideon needed.
But don’t read the story and expect God to wet the fleece for you.
First you must listen. Open your heart to hear the voice of God calling you to service. Note that Gideon said twice as you have said. He already knew what God wanted. Gideon’s struggle was with obedience.
When God has asked you to do something, he will grant what you need to be obedient. Ask him for it…again and again, if necessary. He will provide.
Gideon: “But…”
Angel: “I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man.”
Gideon: “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have said, behold I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”
God: Did it.
Gideon: “Please let me test one more time with the fleece…”
God: Did it again. “Now – Go down against the [Midian] camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”
Then Gideon went with Purah…
And they call Thomas “Doubting.”
But how many of us are just like Gideon? And usually (okay for me – always), God isn’t asking us to go into battle against a superior fighting force using REAL swords… that cause REAL wounds…and possibly REAL death. For us, it’s more like God saying, “Obey my commands… even when you don’t want to.”
And our response:
“Oh, I don’t know if I can do it. God probably doesn’t want me to really obey. I mean, not all the time. People might think I’m weird… How could I be an effective witness if they think I’m weird?
“Okay, I feel better about that now. I think. God, do you really want me to obey? I mean… I… I’ll tell you what, God. If you want me to do this, then make it crystal clear to me – somehow.”
I’ve done that…more than once. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m alone in this. Neither do I think this is what the story is trying to show us. God is not about miracles or magic just to help us see what he wants us to do.
However, if confirmation helps you do what he’s already asked you to do, He might. God asked, quite possibly, the biggest chicken in the world to become an army commander. Confidence boosters were exactly what Gideon needed.
But don’t read the story and expect God to wet the fleece for you.
First you must listen. Open your heart to hear the voice of God calling you to service. Note that Gideon said twice as you have said. He already knew what God wanted. Gideon’s struggle was with obedience.
When God has asked you to do something, he will grant what you need to be obedient. Ask him for it…again and again, if necessary. He will provide.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Pretest
The night was dark, the air still. Why is it so quiet? Thunder…God, some thunder would be nice right about now. The sky was silent.
The man was sure the men of the town would hear. How could they not? Rocks were tumbling, wood splitting, bulls bellowing, the noise was deafening.
They would kill him when they got to him. He’d had dreams of leading God’s people against the Midianites. Those dreams would soak into the dusty soil along with his blood. AND, it was going to be God’s people that drained him of both.
The men with him were good men, but they would run. He would be alone to face the men of his town, his friends…his family. Why had God asked him to do this? Why would God put him in this place?
Have you ever been in a situation destined for failure? Ever felt like God had something special he wanted from you, but your current crisis seemed to doom God’s design? That’s exactly where Gideon found himself.
God had called him to a meaningful task. But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man. First, however, God had one other small assignment.
…pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it and build an altar to the Lord your God on top of the stronghold here… (Judges 6:26)
If God wanted to use Gideon to free his people from the bondage of Midian, why would he threaten that plan? Of course, God didn’t. The only real threat to Gideon was between his ears.
That’s not to say he was in no danger. Gideon was afraid of the men of the town, and sure enough the next morning they came to kill him. The threats came to nothing, but Gideon’s actions were important for several reasons.
1. It showed that Gideon would obey God. He may have been terrified. He may have done it in secrecy, in the middle of the night, but he did it.
2. It pointed out the sin of God’s people, sins that needed to be addressed. They wanted God to save them, but they were still worshipping other gods as well.
3. It showed God’s people that Gideon was not afraid of the gods of the Midianites. In fact, they gave him a new name, Jerubbaal, which meant Let Baal contend against him. Baal didn’t.
After this experience Gideon called for warriors, and 32,000 men were willing to follow him. Would those warriors have followed Gideon if he hadn’t passed through this time of testing? When God places you in a path that seems to hold no hope of success, don’t be too quick to pray for deliverance.
Obey. In the dark of night, do what’s right. Face your fear and remain faithful. God may be preparing you for something much greater. To the one who is faithful in the little things, much will be given.
The man was sure the men of the town would hear. How could they not? Rocks were tumbling, wood splitting, bulls bellowing, the noise was deafening.
They would kill him when they got to him. He’d had dreams of leading God’s people against the Midianites. Those dreams would soak into the dusty soil along with his blood. AND, it was going to be God’s people that drained him of both.
The men with him were good men, but they would run. He would be alone to face the men of his town, his friends…his family. Why had God asked him to do this? Why would God put him in this place?
Have you ever been in a situation destined for failure? Ever felt like God had something special he wanted from you, but your current crisis seemed to doom God’s design? That’s exactly where Gideon found himself.
God had called him to a meaningful task. But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man. First, however, God had one other small assignment.
…pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it and build an altar to the Lord your God on top of the stronghold here… (Judges 6:26)
If God wanted to use Gideon to free his people from the bondage of Midian, why would he threaten that plan? Of course, God didn’t. The only real threat to Gideon was between his ears.
That’s not to say he was in no danger. Gideon was afraid of the men of the town, and sure enough the next morning they came to kill him. The threats came to nothing, but Gideon’s actions were important for several reasons.
1. It showed that Gideon would obey God. He may have been terrified. He may have done it in secrecy, in the middle of the night, but he did it.
2. It pointed out the sin of God’s people, sins that needed to be addressed. They wanted God to save them, but they were still worshipping other gods as well.
3. It showed God’s people that Gideon was not afraid of the gods of the Midianites. In fact, they gave him a new name, Jerubbaal, which meant Let Baal contend against him. Baal didn’t.
After this experience Gideon called for warriors, and 32,000 men were willing to follow him. Would those warriors have followed Gideon if he hadn’t passed through this time of testing? When God places you in a path that seems to hold no hope of success, don’t be too quick to pray for deliverance.
Obey. In the dark of night, do what’s right. Face your fear and remain faithful. God may be preparing you for something much greater. To the one who is faithful in the little things, much will be given.
O Mighty Man of Valor
The hole was shallow, carved from solid rock. The low bowl normally held the juice of the grapes as they were stomped. It was NOT designed for threshing wheat.
Wide eyes peeked over the lip of the winepress, scanning the horizon for dust plumes or any other evidence that the enemy was near. Seeing nothing, the man ducked back into the hole. He was miserable, but hunger could make you do things you normally wouldn’t.
The work was stifling. Sweat dripped from his nose and stung his eyes. The chaff from the wheat stuck to his skin.
He lifted a bowl of the un-sifted wheat as high as he dared and slowly dumped it out, shaking it slightly over the empty bowl below. While it fell he blew against the grain hoping to blow the lighter hulls away from the heavier grains. The solid wheat kernels peppered the inside of the lower bowl. Unfortunately, most of the empty husks landed in the bowl as well.
The wind was blowing up outside of the hole, and if he took the grain to the surface the breeze would quickly disperse the chaff like a dust storm. The Midianite hordes would take the wheat just as quickly. They’d been doing it for seven years, so food was scarce, and he couldn’t afford to lose this meager amount of wheat his family had been able to hide from them.
God had forsaken his people. He wouldn’t be hiding in a hole if it weren’t true. He could be brave, stand tall, even destroy the Midianites.
Dusty fingers tried picking out dried husks and grass from the good grains. He envisioned himself in armor, leading an army of mighty warriors against those marauding Midian locusts. “Yeah, right. Stay in your hole and hide,” he mumbled aloud.
Quickly he slapped a dirty hand over his mouth. He peeked over the rim of the hole again, scanning all around. Nothing.
Whew!
The man plopped back down and chaff puffed up around him. God, why have you forsake us? A prophet said it was because the people had not obeyed God.
At a tiny noise the man’s head rose and there was another man towering over him at the edge of the winepress. I’m dead! The wheat will be stolen, and my family will do without…again. “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor,” the man’s voice boomed.
What? The Lord is with me? Where? Here in this hole?
The man in the hole was Gideon, and the man who appeared was an angel of the Lord. If this angel materialized in front of you, what might he call you: o patient one, o dependable servant, o compassionate child? Don’t look to your strengths. You won’t find your name there. Think about your potential problems, your most constant insecurity, your greatest weakness.
The name God calls you may well be found there. Where you see problems, God envisions potential. Where Gideon felt weak, unable to defend his food from his foes, humbly hiding from them in a hole, God saw a mighty man of valor.
Does this mean you’re mistaken about your own weakness? Was Gideon? Was the man threshing wheat in a winepress really mighty?
No. He was weak and scared – a chicken, but he became a mighty warrior. How?
The secret of Gideon’s metamorphosis from weakness to warrior, mouse to man, was in the angel’s first statement. “The Lord is with you.” Later the Bible tells us the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. God’s Spirit covered him. Talk about some powerful armor.
We have an added bonus in that God’s Spirit lives in us if we are children of God. That doesn’t guarantee a change from weakness to strength, because we must be with God. We have to crucify ourselves and let God live through us.
When we do, our weakness can become His strength. Our disorganization develops into His order. Our frustration becomes His peace.
Wide eyes peeked over the lip of the winepress, scanning the horizon for dust plumes or any other evidence that the enemy was near. Seeing nothing, the man ducked back into the hole. He was miserable, but hunger could make you do things you normally wouldn’t.
The work was stifling. Sweat dripped from his nose and stung his eyes. The chaff from the wheat stuck to his skin.
He lifted a bowl of the un-sifted wheat as high as he dared and slowly dumped it out, shaking it slightly over the empty bowl below. While it fell he blew against the grain hoping to blow the lighter hulls away from the heavier grains. The solid wheat kernels peppered the inside of the lower bowl. Unfortunately, most of the empty husks landed in the bowl as well.
The wind was blowing up outside of the hole, and if he took the grain to the surface the breeze would quickly disperse the chaff like a dust storm. The Midianite hordes would take the wheat just as quickly. They’d been doing it for seven years, so food was scarce, and he couldn’t afford to lose this meager amount of wheat his family had been able to hide from them.
God had forsaken his people. He wouldn’t be hiding in a hole if it weren’t true. He could be brave, stand tall, even destroy the Midianites.
Dusty fingers tried picking out dried husks and grass from the good grains. He envisioned himself in armor, leading an army of mighty warriors against those marauding Midian locusts. “Yeah, right. Stay in your hole and hide,” he mumbled aloud.
Quickly he slapped a dirty hand over his mouth. He peeked over the rim of the hole again, scanning all around. Nothing.
Whew!
The man plopped back down and chaff puffed up around him. God, why have you forsake us? A prophet said it was because the people had not obeyed God.
At a tiny noise the man’s head rose and there was another man towering over him at the edge of the winepress. I’m dead! The wheat will be stolen, and my family will do without…again. “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor,” the man’s voice boomed.
What? The Lord is with me? Where? Here in this hole?
The man in the hole was Gideon, and the man who appeared was an angel of the Lord. If this angel materialized in front of you, what might he call you: o patient one, o dependable servant, o compassionate child? Don’t look to your strengths. You won’t find your name there. Think about your potential problems, your most constant insecurity, your greatest weakness.
The name God calls you may well be found there. Where you see problems, God envisions potential. Where Gideon felt weak, unable to defend his food from his foes, humbly hiding from them in a hole, God saw a mighty man of valor.
Does this mean you’re mistaken about your own weakness? Was Gideon? Was the man threshing wheat in a winepress really mighty?
No. He was weak and scared – a chicken, but he became a mighty warrior. How?
The secret of Gideon’s metamorphosis from weakness to warrior, mouse to man, was in the angel’s first statement. “The Lord is with you.” Later the Bible tells us the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. God’s Spirit covered him. Talk about some powerful armor.
We have an added bonus in that God’s Spirit lives in us if we are children of God. That doesn’t guarantee a change from weakness to strength, because we must be with God. We have to crucify ourselves and let God live through us.
When we do, our weakness can become His strength. Our disorganization develops into His order. Our frustration becomes His peace.
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